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Personality type is ultimately determined
by the person themself. It is difficult and often inaccurate
to type another person because you must know their core motivation.
We tend to type others based on what we see, but there are
many reasons that a person may appear to behave a certain
way. Only that person knows the real motivation. Public figures
can often be typed by others because they have given interview
after interview and have often been very generous with their
deepest thoughts and feelings.
Type 1 - The Perfectionist
ONES are known for their high standards,
integrity and principles. They look at reality and see what
should be. This focus of attention on correcting what is wrong
is directed both outward and inward. It might be about many
things or aimed at just one area, like how people should behave.
Ones have always tried to be good and act responsibly. They
say they have a strong internal critic whom they are always
trying to please. They are idealistic and often are agents
of social change. Their energy of anger is contained, but
they often feel resentment because others are not working
as hard as they are. All of this comes from a belief that
the world is a judgmental place and punishes bad behavior
and impulse. The way to feel worthy or loved is by being as
close to perfect as possible. Ones do everything to avoid
making mistakes, being out of control or being unworthy. When
Ones experience discomfort they rarely express overt anger.
Instead they automatically use the mechanism of reaction formation
to manage unacceptable impulses by often being critical of
similar impulses in others. Ironically, adhering to just one
right way to be and holding one’s self and others to strict
standards, omits all other possibilities and outcomes which
may be a part of perfection.
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Type 2 - The Helper
TWOS are known for their giving nature and
their ability to anticipate the needs of others. Relationships
matter most of all to Twos and they are highly empathic. They
often describe a prideful energy that drives this active giving
to others, which at first feels like it meets Twos needs.
The feeling of being indispensable and its concomitant feeling
(or hope) of fulfillment comes from a belief that one must
give in order to be loveable. The focus of attention on other
people’s needs is at the cost of knowing their own needs and
asking for those needs to be met. They identify with the ideal
of helpfulness, and are often in the second-in-command position,
anticipating needs and realising potential in others. Twos
do everything to avoid being needy, useless, or rejected.
In the face of discomfort, Twos automatically employ the mechanism
of repression of any of their own needs, so they can continue
to focus on others. Ironically, in trying to obtain fulfillment
by meeting the needs of others, Twos alienate themselves from
their own needs and true potential fulfillment.
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Type 3 - The Achiever
THREES are known for being upbeat, competitive,
always on the move, and highly goal-oriented. These high-achievers
are full of energy and easily adapt to meet others’ expectations.
The driving energy is one of self-deception, as Three adapts
to meet expectations of those around them and project a good
image. The focus of attention on winning or achieving is often
at the cost of awareness of one’s own feelings or the feelings
of others. Three do everything to avoid failure and projecting
a less-than-good image. This comes from a belief that "in
order to be loveable I must appear successful, because the
world rewards doing over being". Threes report that they
can easily confuse achievement with a genuine sense of worthiness.
When Threes experience discomfort, they automatically use
the mechanism of identification to convince themselves that
they are the same as their accomplishments. Ironically, image
and success by others’ standards do not guarantee inner fulfillment,
especially in the absence of one’s own feelings and those
of loved ones.
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Type 4 - The Romantic
FOURS are known for their emotional intensity
and depth in all areas of their life. Their own uniqueness
is important to them and may show itself in how they dress
or in their surroundings. They are usually artistic, placing
a high value on authenticity. Fours report a sense of longing
for what is missing in life, either in a relationship, work
or a creative endeavor. This comes from a belief that life
can only be satisfying if I find what is missing. Four's focus
of attention is on something "out there" that will make them
feel whole. An energy of envy and longing develops as the
search continues, and four sometimes wonders if it is their
own sense of being flawed that is responsible for their living
in want. They say they do everything to avoid being ordinary.
When discomfort begins, Fours automatically rely on the mechanism
of introjection by taking in the idealized qualities for which
Four is searching, and holding them as security against not
having them. Ironically, a constant focus on what is missing
prevents a rich, deep, fulfilling experience of the present.
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Type 5 - The Observer
FIVES are known for being contained, analytical
and knowledgeable. Sometimes they are detached and withdrawn.
Others are engaged with loved ones but still require a lot
of time alone. The focus of attention is on detaching to observe,
and on the possibility of too much intrusion from which they
must protect themselves. They may detach from others or from
their emotional center, seeking objectivity. Fives say they
work hard to avoid intrusion by others and having demands
made on them that deplete their energy. This comes from a
belief that the world can be intrusive and take too much of
one’s resources, which cannot be adequately replenished. They
are usually self-sufficient and have minimal needs. Behind
this is a driving energy of avarice which, in this case, is
about holding on to things they cannot live without: private
time, time to reflect, private space. Some Fives are in touch
with a lot of emotional resources, but need time to sort through
them, analyze them and be thoughtful. When discomfort begins,
Fives automatically use isolation to detach from others or
to detach from feelings, a pulling back to reflect and refuel.
Ironically, detachment cuts one off from resources that are
needed for replenishing, and does not allow full engagement
in the world as things are happening.
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Type 6 - The Loyal Sceptic
SIXES are known for their loyalty and for
being excellent troubleshooters. They use their analytical
ability to discern what could be threatening to their well-being,
or that of the group or family. They then begin exploring
alternatives to head off hazards. No matter how well things
are going, part of their attention is always on what could
go wrong. This comes from a belief that the world is an unsafe
place and cannot be trusted. In order to feel safe and secure
you have to be vigilant. The driving energy behind this cautious
outlook is fear of worst possible outcomes. Many Sixes say
they do not initially identify this energy as fear, but they
concur that the mental habit of doubt is virtually always
present. Sixes report having a hard time making decisions
as they search for certainty, and are often procrastinators.
They say they do everything to avoid dependency in a world
that cannot be trusted. The focus of attention is on what
could go wrong, and on figuring out if others are trustworthy.
When discomfort is present, Sixes automatically use the defense
mechanism of projection in which they put their worst fears
onto others. Ironically, this continual vigilance and quest
for certainty interferes with experiencing a basic sense of
trust in the world.
SIX is the only enneagram type which has
two different responses to the basic belief. Some Sixes (phobic)
respond to fear or doubt by being exceedingly cautious and
aligning with authority. Other Sixes (counter-phobic) respond
by aggressively moving towards that which they fear in order
to stop feeling the fear. Counter-phobic Sixes often look
like Eights.
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Type 7 - The Optimist
SEVENS are known for the energy they bring
to keeping things flowing, happy and up. They are the masters
of seeing all the great possibilities and bringing one idea
after another to the table. They are fun, adventuresome and
positive. This comes from a belief that if you keep things
positive you won’t get stuck in life's pain, which is so limiting
and sorrowful. Seven's focus of attention is on all that is
positive and possible in the future. A gluttonous energy propels
Sevens as they focus on positives, interrelate ideas and find
connections in all things. They report doing everything possible
to avoid sorrowful feelings, limits, or boredom. When discomfort
occurs, Sevens automatically use rationalization to help negatives
go into the background, and to transform lemons into lemonade.
Ironically, avoiding pain and life’s dark side creates more
pain and is limiting in itself.
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Type 8 - The Boss
EIGHTS are known for the forceful impact
they have on those around them. This intensity is powered
by a lustful energy and excess, harnessed to take the world
head-on. They often report that they are comfortable with
their anger and surprised by how others back off. This is
all based on a belief that the world is a place in which the
powerful take advantage of the vulnerable, and in order to
survive, one has to be strong, forceful and fighting for fairness.
Eights will do anything to avoid being vulnerable. The focus
of attention is on power and control and any apparent injustice.
When discomfort appears, Eights automatically go into denial,
not seeing their own vulnerability or the impact of their
huge energy on those around them. Ironically, the forceful
charging ahead makes others oppose them; and being out of
touch with their own vulnerability makes them that much more
vulnerable.
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Type 9 - The Mediator
NINES are known for being agreeable, adaptable,
and good mediators. Their gifts are in creating an atmosphere
of peace and harmony and in being able to see another’s point
of view. Because they so easily see other points of view,
they report having a hard time discerning what they, themselves,
see as important. The energy behind this is inertia towards
the self or self-forgetting. The focus of attention is on
whatever pulls from the environment and spreads out to multiple
claims, some essential, some not. In any case, Nines easily
can place attention on other people’s agendas. This attention
is toward substitutes for the self, blending in and seeking
comfort. This comes from a belief that they’re not really
important and need to blend in to be valued, loved, and secure.
Some Nines say that it is a belief that if I am for myself,
I will lose everything and everyone. So Nines do everything
possible to avoid conflict. When discomfort occurs or conflict
is possible, Nines automatically call on the mechanism of
narcotization, numbing out through secondary comforts such
as food, drink or repetitive, comforting activities or thoughts.
Ironically, seeking comfort and harmony by neglecting oneself
leads, ultimately, to more discomfort and disharmony.
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